The Cooper Temple Clause

The Cooper Temple Clause's first North American release is definitely a record to get excited about. Released six months earlier in the U.K., the album has already made quite an impact overseas, and for good reason. TCTC combine a plethora of musical styles, from prog to grunge, and still manage not to get lost in their ambition. The Coopers effortlessly bring a fresh sound to music, all while maintaining some of the coolest hair in the biz. Ben Gautrey's vocals add a grittiness to the almost dreamlike soundscapes the band creates on their sophomore effort, keeping the lush songs far from inaccessible. Violins and a well placed telephone ring open up "Talking To A Brick Wall", before handclaps and a pounding bassline slowly overtake the song. These are elements not typically found on a hard rock record, but TCTC seem to create a style all their own, boldly straying from traditional rock and roll boundaries, and experimenting to their heart's content. Their music may not be as radio-friendly as others', but in the end, the solid songwriting and innovation of the Coopers will cause the band's memory to outlast many of their peers'.